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Two new TINs launched

Two new neighborhoods were named Targeted Investment Neighborhoods (TINs) at the onset of 2016. The Layton Boulevard and Lighthouse neighborhoods were selected from a pool of applicants to be designated as TIN areas, where housing rehabilitation resources are available under the HOME Rehabilitation and Rental Rehabilitation programs over a three-year period to support community improvement and quality of life initiatives led by residents and community-based organizations.

Tea business expands in the Valley

The new building, located on 33rd Court just off Canal Street, will house a state-of-the-art production facility and increase Rishi’s visibility in its home town. Briohn Building Corporation is behind both the design and construction of the Rishi structure.

Record sales of tax foreclosed properties in 2015

DCD Real Estate significantly exceeded the goal for selling tax foreclosed properties in 2015. During the Great Recession the City of Milwaukee acquired thousands of properties due to tax foreclosure. “We started seeing a major uptick in 2009, and 2012 was the year in which we acquired the largest number of properties (about 900),” said deputy city development commissioner Martha Brown.

Over $1 million committed to efforts to improve Near West Side

On April 14th, Mayor Tom Barrett joined representatives from Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Miller-Coors and the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation to announce the new Promoting Assets and Reducing Crime (PARC) Initiative on Milwaukee’s Near West Side.

Nominations Sought for the 2016 Mayor’s Design Awards

The City of Milwaukee is accepting nominations for the 19th Annual Mayor’s Design Awards. The Mayor’s Design Awards are presented to recognize top local design additions to the built environment throughout the City of Milwaukee. “Every year we see more great additions to Milwaukee. New buildings, parks, amenities, and landscaping add to the fabric of our neighborhoods,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “The beauty, function, activity, innovation, and energy should be celebrated. Let’s get more projects the

New report recommends agenda for local economic development

The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a Department of City Development report recommending nearly four dozen actions to help Milwaukee build on its assets and respond to its challenges in order to fully reap the benefits of regional economic growth. “Growing Prosperity: An Action Agenda for Economic Development in the City of Milwaukee” was developed with input from more than 100 individuals and organizations over a year-long period. It explores four areas of focus: location-based opportunities, human capital development, entrepreneurship and innovation, and quality of life and place. About half the recommended actions would be implemented by City government; the remaining actions will require leadership from private, non-profit and philanthropic partners.

MEDC approves $150,000 loan to distillery start-up

Central Standard, LLC was approved for a $150,000 loan through MEDC at its November 12th loan committee meeting. Central Standard is a start-up premier craft spirit manufacturer with an initial product line that will include whiskey, vodka, gin and brandy. Central Standard Craft Distillery will both partner with and be housed in a local craft brewery, Milwaukee Brewing Company, in Walker's Point. The distillery also plans to operate an on-location bar and retail space for sampling. The MEDC funding will support the purchase of equipment.

Mayor and Aldermen announce new TIN’s

At a press conference on Thursday, January 2, 2014, Mayor Barrett and Aldermen Murphy and Perez began the new year by announcing three newly designated Targeted Investment Neighborhoods (TIN’s) in the Pulaski Park, St. Joseph’s and Martin Drive neighborhoods. For more information about the TIN program, contact NIDC Outreach Liaison Vanessa Llanas at 286-5626, and read about the three new TIN’s

Lots of Lots

DCD’s Real Estate section went above and beyond its goal to reduce the city’s vacant lot inventory in 2015. The goal of 100 sales was reached mid-year and sales continued at a breakneck pace for a final number of 244. Each lot sold will now generate tax revenue of $70-150 per year and eliminate an average of $320 in annual maintenance costs.

LAM Magazine: Milwaukee cleans up the Menomonee Valley but keeps it working

Milwaukee was highlighted in the April 2016 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine, featuring the careful balance between brownfield remediation and industrial development in the Menomonee Valley. The City has created incremental plans that have come to life mitigating the harder aspects of a longtime manufacturing zone yet kept it as a hub for jobs.

KK River project among nation's top 25 public works projects

In late 2009, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (the District) entered into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (the Authority) to provide acquisition and relocation services for 83 private properties along the Kinnickinnic River.

Join us for BID-NID Week

Join us for BID-NID Week!

The week will celebrate the Business(BID) and Neighborhood(NID) Improvement Districts, with various activities that will highlight the work of the organizations, encourage people to explore and experience these Milwaukee neighborhoods firsthand, and bring awareness of the added value they bring to the City."

Harbor District gaining momentum

The City-led Harbor District initiative is gaining momentum with the recent announcement of a $200,000 planning grant to the Redevelopment Authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

First new building planned for Century City site

Prospective tenants have already expressed interest in a 50,000-square-foot industrial building planned for the new Century City development, according to city Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux. It will be the first new building at the former A.O. Smith/Tower Automotive complex, located south of W. Capitol Drive and west of N. 31st St.

DCD gears up for SNIP

The Strong Neighborhood Investment Program (SNIP), a centerpiece of Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 budget, provides $11.8 million to redouble city efforts to reduce the number and mitigate the impacts of tax-foreclosed properties. As the department responsible for managing and marketing that inventory, DCD staff are moving forward on many fronts to implement SNIP, and the number of staff members devoted to these tasks is growing.

Bronzeville Week offers enrichment for mind, body and soul August 2-9, 2014

Art, history, commerce, community and culture rooted in a rich urban tradition comes together again as the 2nd Annual Bronzeville Week kicks off in Milwaukee, hosted by Friends of Bronzeville and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. The celebration begins with the Bronzeville Arts & Cultural Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on North Avenue between N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and N. 7th Street. The festival will feature three stages with live performances, a kids’ zone and an array of vendors and food offerings. DCD Real Estate staff will be available to talk about homes and commercial buildings available in Bronzeville. “I am excited to be celebrating Bronzeville Week once again with neighbors, friends and business owners,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “Once again we have positive and enriching family-friendly activities and events that emphasize a hopeful future for the district and for the community. It is also the perfect opportunity to showcase Bronzeville’s businesses and business development opportunities, its music, contemporary art and culture, shops and its many destinations for visitors and tourists.”

Beerline nears completion with latest approval

The Walker’s Landing Apartments at North Riverboat Road near Humboldt, one of the last remaining development sites in the Beerline corridor, received final discretionary approval for its riverwalk and river facing elevations at the City Plan Commission meeting on Monday, Nov. 18. The Redevelopment Authority approved the development in October. The new 5½-story apartment building will have 113 units (a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom units), as well as 131 parking spaces. The modern design is intended to fit the context of the Beerline, with facade materials of limestone and “reclaimed Chicago pink” brick. Approval of this project now brings the total number of approved new residential units in the Beerline redevelopment area to 848, none of which existed prior to 1999, in this once forgotten strip of mostly empty industrial buildings and coal yards.

19th Annual Mayor's Design Awards Announced

The Mayor’s Design Awards is a long-standing Milwaukee tradition that gives recognition to projects—big and small—that exhibit design excellence while respecting the urban fabric and contributing to the character of their surroundings. At this year’s 19th annual awards ceremony, 22 projects in 10 different Aldermanic Districts across the city were honored. Mayor Tom Barrett and Robert Greenstreet, Dean of the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP), presented awards in a gala event May 25.

“Art on Fond du Lac” project named national model

A temporary art project sponsored in part by NIDC received national attention recently at the Americans for the Arts conference in Nashville. “Art on Fond du Lac,” organized last year by In:Site, was listed among 37 outstanding public arts projects in 2013 by the Public Art Network Year in Review program

Business owner in Bronzeville

"It's long overdue": Bronzeville business owners welcome streetcar extension

$1 lots: Milwaukee hopes to attract new homeowners to vacant land

Before and after of building.

$100 Million Will Transform Old Schuster’s

$250,000 for exploration of Walker's Point streetcar extension approved by Milwaukee council

2018 Mayor's Design Awards

The Mayor’s Design Awards are presented in an ongoing effort to recognize design excellence throughout the City of Milwaukee. Recipients have added value to their neighborhoods by restoring, constructing or enhancing their properties in a way that respects the urban fabric and contributes to the character of their surroundings. Check out the 2018 winners!

52 Places for a Changed World: Bronzeville named as place to visit

7th @ North Development Opportunity

A new development opportunity in Bronzeville! Be a part of the changes happening in the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District at 7th @ North.

A book store/coffeehouse and wine bar planned for Milwaukee's Bronzeville is proceeding

An emerging Milwaukee south side neighborhood is getting more attention

An Ox Café opens on Milwaukee's northwest side, hopes to inspire other business owners

ARCH Program

Artist Transforms Abandoned Buildings on Chicago's South Side into Cultural Gems

Gates, “a potter by training and social activist by calling,” transforms abandoned buildings in one of Chicago’s grittiest neighborhoods into social meeting grounds.

Artists helping redevelop Milwaukee's Bronzeville area with homes, studios

Artists are leading an effort to renovate houses in Milwaukee's Bronzeville area to help redevelop the neighborhood, while also creating live/work space that artists own — instead of renting.

Becher Street Receiving Road Diet, Raised Bike Lane

Bookstore featuring a coffee house during the day and a wine bar at night is coming to Bronzeville

Brew City Match aims to help draw development to Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Brew City Match aims to help draw development to Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Bronzeville to gain housing, stores, arts center under public land sales that advanced this week

Bronzeville Week celebrates health, food and arts in Milwaukee's historic neighborhood

Bronzeville Festival event jumpers.

Bronzeville Week celebration set for August 3 – 10, 2019

Bronzeville Week seeks to tell history, revitalize Black community

Bronzeville Zoning Overlay Open House

Food at Jewel's Caribbean.

Bronzeville's Jewels Caribbean will help you escape the Milwaukee winter with tasty West Indian tre

Celebrate 25 Years of the Hank Aaron State Trail

City Financing of Northwestern Mutual Tower Providing Local Jobs

Northwestern Mutual’s new downtown tower is reshaping Milwaukee’s skyline, and, at the same time, the project is connecting hundreds of Milwaukee workers with career opportunities in the building trades.

City of Racine: Community Oriented Policing

Rather than saturating a high crime area with officers they took a new approach, they moved in, literally. With the help of some State funding and a partnership with the Racine Community Outpost they were able to either purchase and rehab older homes in the area or in some cases build them new. The idea was to set an example for the neighborhood.

City Selling Large Bronzeville Development Site

Fond du Lac and North Area Plan Diagram

Comprehensive plan in the works for neighborhoods surrounding Fond du Lac and North Avenues

The City of Milwaukee Department of City Development along with Alderman Russell Stamper, II and our community partners at the Dominican Center, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, and Walnut Way are in the process of developing a new comprehensive plan for the neighborhoods surrounding Fond du Lac and North Avenues. The new plan will build on recent local planning efforts to guide development in the area for the next 10-15 years. The plan is expected to be completed in early 2021.

DCD Awarded Transit Oriented Development Planning Grant

The Federal Transit Administration announced in October 2016 that the City was selected to receive a competitive planning grant that will allow the City to develop strategies to foster Transit Oriented Development (TOD) along the proposed future King Drive/Bronzeville and Walker’s Point Streetcar extensions.

Fatima Laster brings art, development to her old Milwaukee north side neighborhood

Learn about the planned conversion of a central city funeral home into artist studios and a shared gallery.

Fond du Lac North Area Plan Earns City Plan Commission Approval

Foreclosed Homes to Become Artist Havens

Artist Vedale Hill and his family will be moving into a former city owned home and engaging the community where he lives through art.

Freedom Endeavors community center/venue opening in Milwaukee's Bronzeville with live show

Garfield Days Shine Despite Rain

Good City Brewing to buy Century City building Page

Good City Brewing to buy Century City building

Good City Brewing to purchase the century City building from the City of Milwaukee. Good City Brewing plans to move office and warehouse operations to the Century City business park on Milwaukee’s northwest side and hopes to establish brewery operations there within two years.

Good City sees interest from food and beverage companies for more space at Century City

HaRUNbee 5K Walk/Run for Healthy Birth Outcomes approved as part of Bronzeville Week 2022

Here's how Acts Housing is stepping up to help Milwaukee's Black homeowners

Huntsville Launches Neighborhood Resource Center Pilot Program

The City of Huntsville is piloting a neighborhood program to provide enhanced community policing and city support. The Neighborhood Resource Center will be housed in a residence staffed by Huntsville police who will help to build resources around a neighborhood so that residents may be the champions of their cause.

Immediate Waterfront Availability at Port Milwaukee

Long and short term leases are available for 13+ waterfront acres at 401 E. Greenfield Ave. Parcel is zoned industrial. Job creation and investment is a priority. Any lease is contingent on Board of Harbor Commissioners and Common Council approval.

Jeffers, MATC Celebrate Student Housing Complex

Kiva City makes 100th loan to Milwaukee entrepreneur

Milwaukee’s Kiva micro-loan program is celebrating an important milestone: its 100th loan to an entrepreneur. The 100th loan was made to Akilah Young, who owns Canfield Cleaning Services.

Meetings to gather public input on Milwaukee's downtown master plan will begin in December

Menomonee Valley Updates

Menomonee Valley Partners, working with the City of Milwaukee, has released a request for proposals seeking a firm to prepare designs for the recently proposed Menomonee Valley Riverwalk. When completed, the Valley Riverwalk designs will be approved by the City of Milwaukee as standards for the Valley Riverwalk Overlay District that was established in 2017.

Milky Way Tech Hub business accelerator is expanding in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood

Milwaukee introduces new Bronzeville artist space development project

Milwaukee picked by D.C. group for investment program impacting 30th Street Corridor Page

Milwaukee picked by D.C. group for investment program impacting 30th Street Corridor

A team of Milwaukee leaders has been selected to run a capital reinvestment initiative impacting the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.

Milwaukee Wins Cities of Service National Competition PDF Document

Milwaukee Wins Cities of Service National Competition

Milwaukee Wins Cities of Service National Competition to Revitalize Neighborhoods. Milwaukee will receive $25,000, and support from two AmeriCorps VISTA members dedicated to fighting blight and will receive expert technical assistance from Cities of Service.

Milwaukee, Habitat partner for Harambee neighborhood development

Milwaukee's Bronzeville Week kicks off Saturday to celebrate Black history

Milwaukee's Harbor District is drawing more development.

MKE United creates vision for downtown and area neighborhoods

The Greater Milwaukee Committee in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Urban League and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation recently announced the MKE United Greater Downtown Action Agenda (MKE United), an effort to create a shared, inclusive vision for Greater Downtown Milwaukee.

More Little Free Libraries, public art, flowers, herb gardens likely coming to Milwaukee

New Bronzeville initiative provides homeownership opportunities for artists

New Bronzeville initiative provides homeownership opportunities for artists. The initiative encourages engagement of residents and businesses in arts and cultural programming and promotes black art and the economy.

Planning begins for Milwaukee Healing Spaces Initiative

Public service for downtown streetcar The Hop begins Page

Public service for downtown streetcar The Hop begins

The Hop is now in service, ride for free during the first year and explore downtown!

Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference 2018

On May 15-17, 2018, an estimated 1,000 urban, suburban, and rural leaders will gather in Milwaukee, for the eighth Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference (RVP), the only national conference of its kind. Conference sessions will highlight work from around the country, including the host city, Milwaukee.

Revival and resurrection in Milwaukee

Fatima Laster has opened 5 Points Art Gallery & Studios, a former City of Milwaukee tax foreclosed funeral home converted in an art gallery, boutique, art studios, commercial kitchen and two apartments.

Schedule released for 10th annual Bronzeville Week

Dshea in Bronzeville.

See several key projects and players helping to revive Bronzeville

Starting a Business?

Survey of Milwaukee's Historic Industrial Buildings

The purpose of this survey was to document Milwaukee’s Industrial Heritage as a means to encourage the rehabilitation of historic industrial buildings in the city. The recommendations provide a description and analysis of those properties found to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Corridor within the Corredor Project

Tax Incremental Financing recently approved for the Community Within the Corridor Project

This catalytic project in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor includes the adaptive reuse of a series of vacant industrial buildings located at 32nd and Center Street and represents a $59 million investment. It will result in the creation of 197 housing units, and a significant amount of community and recreational space for residents and the surrounding neighborhood. This includes a small grocery store, daycare center, laundromat and organizations that support youth, education, entrepreneurship and business startups. The project will also incorporate a basketball court, health club, skate park, futsal court and business incubator. Construction is anticipated to begin in October, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. The project development team includes local developer Que El Amin and Roers Development out of Minnesota.

This Neighborhood Is Transforming By Letting Artists Buy Its Vacant Homes For Cheap

In the Garfield Park neighborhood of Indianapolis, a plan is helping artists fix up and settle in abandoned houses, and then making sure they can afford to stay once things start improving.

Wisconsin foreclosure filings hit 18-year low in 2018 News Article

Wisconsin foreclosure filings hit 18-year low in 2018

Wisconsin foreclosure filings hit 18-year low in 2018 but still an issue. The city works with buyers of foreclosed houses to bring them up to code, offering some a $20,000 forgivable home improvement loan to help cover rehab costs. Learn more in the article.

Work Starting on Cathedral Square Upgrade

Image of sherman park sculpture

City program funds beautification projects to build social connections

Administered by the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, CIP offers matching grants of up to $4,000 for community projects that engage residents and beautify neighborhoods. Since 2008, upwards of $1.1 million in CIP grants have funded more than 300 projects that involved 10,000-plus participants in 50 neighborhoods. An additional $2 million was leveraged from residents, businesses and organizations in these neighborhoods.

Housing Resource Fair November 17th

You're invited to a Housing Resource Fair on November 17th! Get Connected to the resources you've been looking for!

A couple drinking a milkshake.

Remembering Milwaukee's Bronzeville